Mother of Achievement

Meet our 2013 Mother of Achievement - Mari Goodman

Born the oldest of four children in South Jordan, Utah., Mari Goodman learned the value of family unity at her mother’s knees. After high school, Mari attended Brigham Young University, where she met and married Paul while they were both working on their Bachelor's of Science Degrees in Chemical Engineering.  Christina was born during the middle of their Senior year, so Mari eagerly took some time off to be a mom and then finished her degree 18 months later.  2003 brought exciting changes for her family: Sarah was born in February, Paul defended his PhD dissertation in June and they moved to Flagstaff in July where Paul obtained employment at W.L. Gore & Associates.  She and her husband have been licensed foster parents and respite care providers since 2005, being the foster parents of eleven children.  As a foster mother, she has had opportunities to help children and their families, by working with the families of children in her care and by establishing a clothing exchange in Northern Arizona for foster families.  She is currently in the middle of her training to become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children in foster care. 

Mari's service reaches beyond her family and the foster care system to the community around her.  She has been actively involved in her girl's schools since Christina started kindergarten.  Her level of involvement has varied, depending on the needs of the teachers: from working with small groups of children, to leading groups on field trips at the Grand Canyon, to office work.  One year, she was an adult mentor for a fourth grade student who came from a very challenging back ground.  She worked with him several days a week for a full semester, basically striving to keep him in school and get back up to grade level performance.

Another aspect of Mari's community service has been with the annual Flagstaff Faith in Action Day, where people of many different faiths come together to provide service throughout the community.  During the past few years, Mari has organized and coordinated one of the many projects as part of this city-wide event.  One year, she helped create a safe and family-type setting for a visitation room for CPS.  The project transformed the room from a large storage room with a couch to a family room, with a couch, toys, books, games, table and chairs, and murals on the walls.

Mari has actively served within her church organization in many different capacities.  She has led the women's organization of about 150 women for almost 4 years, in which time she has taught classes, organized humanitarian aid projects, and supported women and their families.  She currently enjoys working with a lively children's class of ten three year olds on Sundays, coloring, telling stories, and loving the kids.

Mari’s latest undertaking is a joint business venture with her sister.  They opened a small business two years ago, providing jobs and giving back to the community.

Mother Theresa once said, "Never worry about numbers.  Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."  In all that she does, Mari exemplifies this attitude to all those around her.